Recently there appeared an article in DWM titled “Lead Paint Warning –
Time to Prepare for Big Changes” (January/February 2010). Due to a number
of misleading and erroneous comments made in this story we feel obligated
to set the record straight.

While the importance of the EPA’s new Renovation, Repair and Paint (RRP)
program certainly deserves attention by our industry, it is important
that the facts surrounding this regulation are clearly understood and
not misconstrued. This article started out on the right track as it shared
that this program is meant to educate contractors who work in pre-1978
housing who might disturb painted surfaces where lead paint is present.
Please note that the EPA is very clear on this: the RRP is addressing
the dust created from the disturbance of lead paint (See: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm).

What is unfortunate is that this article allowed an individual the opportunity
to twist the subject of RRP for his own gain. He was allowed to create
an impression that this EPA regulation aligned itself with the Consumer
Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) which governs products specifically
designed and intended for children 12 years of age or younger (i.e., children’s
toys). The CSPC is very clear on the point that the CPSIA excludes doors
and windows in these ratings (See: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm).

The article allowed a manufacturer of plastic hardware products the opportunity
to confuse the readers into believing that the RRP regulations were connected
to the CPSIA’s ruling, which they clearly are not. The plastics manufacturer
further suggested that hardware manufacturers using zinc in their products
would not be able to meet these new requirements and that plastic/composite
products would be the only ones which would allow window manufacturers
to remain competitive and compliant, which is completely untrue. He went
on to suggest that the amount of lead in zinc hardware was not “kid-safe.”
Again, untrue.

While we can’t speak for others in our industry, Truth Hardware zinc conforms
to ASTM standard B240-09, which sets the maximum allowable level of lead
in this material at 40 ppm, well below that which is allowable for children’s
toys. In addition, Truth Hardware’s paint process conforms to applicable
governing regulations including those for lead content (90 ppm). These
standards for Truth Hardware products meet all governing requirements
for lead content.

To your readers we suggest the following. When confronted by claims that
may create concern over your hardware decisions, or even those that impact
your own product sales and the channels in which they are installed and
used, we urge you to take the time to understand all the facts and don’t
be confused or led astray by companies who try to capitalize on consumer
fear or doubt for their own gain.

In closing I would just like to add, that by providing comments from only
one supplier in this market, who clearly had an agenda, you have done
a disservice to the door and window industry that relies on this information
to be fair, accurate and pertinent to the issues at hand. We expect better
from this publication.